!!!MEETING!! (Everyone Gather!!!)

[Sivoncé™]

The day was thick and sopping in fog and murk like every other day had been for the past two moons. Fireflight was beyond discouraged -- she was absolutely mortified, disgusted, livid. Such a rare thing for a candle flicker so joyous on regular days, but the Moonless Meeting was greatly disturbing; and her brief speaking with Nightshade afterwards had instilled other thoughts into the young alphess' head.
These are harsh times, Fireflight....I guess Iver is doing what he thinks is best for his pack, and his pack alone....whatever it is, he's doing. But I know I am not the only wolf from my pack that remembers the dishonorable time where we tried to strike a deal with Blood Mist. We know the signs -- I wouldn't doubt it if your pack and the Sheerans noted it, either. Pyre didn't look pleased, but it poses no immediate threat to him....
Well, Nightshade, at least Pyre is undecided -- I figured he'd be siding with Iver right off the bat. Maybe there will be no second great war...
...maybe this is a war of its own volume, second to nothing.
Fireflight frowned as she groomed her dirtied pelt, clearing the soot away from the places that burned orange and red, dusting off the streaks of midnight that ran through the flame-colored coat.
She stood, shaking herself -- coming to the conclusion that it was pointless to try and clean herself anymore when she knew she would be dirtied again in less than a half an hour.
Eh....it was worth a shot.
She sighed, leaning against the den wall and thinking.
She did not like to lie to her packmates, she always liked to be up front with them, but she also needed to come off as positive and prepared to move forward.
Well....we have new neophytes to name, and we can discuss the news from the meeting -- clear up any rumours, answer questions, banish panic. From there, we can make our plans to deal with our Yozoran foes....
She nodded, taking comfot in her mind's outline, and also remembering things that gave her confidence in times like these -- Euphrates' scent, his face, his pelt...
She cleared her throat, eyes charged and focused, and stepped out of her den.
To her surprise, the air seemed humid ;; muggy even. The mists were swirling, shifting more than normal.
Hey, maybe it's finally breaking up....
She took a leap onto the meeting stone and tilted her head to peer through a gap in the white. Her whiskers twitched in slight disappointment -- no sign of the sky yet -- but she wasn't all that taken aback by it. She close her eyed and howled a loud, echoing call for her pack to gather.

[Destiny]

It looked so perfectly, deliciously, temptingly plump. Saliva oozed from the corner of her jaws, dripping down onto the charred, ash covered earth. The rabbit was small, it had little meat on its bones, and, in fact, had a pelt that was rotten with ash. Never the less, there was little food to go around, and it would feed some hungry wolf well. Like herself. No, no, this one would be brought back for any bearer's or pups, or any wolf for that matter to feast upon. That was that.

Emotionless, as per usual, gentleman of a wolf trotted out of the Healer's den with a grace that should be unfit for such a creature to carry. Tail held high, but not higher then any other wolf held their own. Sparkling eyes were bright with life, but dead of emotion. Just like expression, and everything else about Silas.

Sothis settled down next to his younger brother. Dark blue-ish pelt seemed almost midnight with the ash, dust and the like that had taken up home on it. A strand of dead grass hung from his dirty, messed up pelt. Brute saw no purpose to cleaning it, as within the half hour it would be filthy again.

Svel cursed softly when the rabbit dashed off in fright at the sound of Fireflight's call. Though she probably could have caught it under normal scenery, the smoke and what not made it far to difficult to see. Muttering to herself, silvery female trotted back toward' camp.

[Sivoncé™]

Carolina emerged from the nursery, a beaming smile on her face though the world around her was gray and ever-dreary. She was a mother -- no sadness could completely deteriorate completely the joy she felt at her pups becoming neophytes at last. There had been a slight delay, but that was over now, and her children would finally have the chance to explore the world. She frowned then, glaring into a rather thick cloud of gray. It's not fair they have to train in conditions so poor, but perhaps it's good they learn this way ; when the mists clear, their senses will be perpared and finely-tuned by the hard training in these conditions. Satisfied with her conclusion, she sat and waited for Fireflight to speak, eyes flickering around for Sothis as she did so.

Breeze padded out of the neophyte den, curiousity sparking in her clear gaze. She held none of her typical effervescence, but she had not been normal much since returning from her kidnapping. She was slightly quieter, easily saddened, and didn't speak like she used to. This small interest and unclouded expression would take many for surprise ; she must've poked her head out of her internal cave for air. She settled not far from Carolina to watch the new neophytes be named and hear the news Fireflight had to share with the pack.

Etheris and Tatiana were next to their mother, but neither looked like they planned to stay their long. Tatiana was inclined slightly forward, as was Etheris, the wolves looking close to twins with their silver-gray-and-blue-mixed pelts. They watched with eager excitement, oblivious to many of the critical issues their pack now faced.

"There is much to speak about, but first and foremost, I think its important to conduct certain vital ceremonies in many of our packmates' lives. We shall start with the warrior ceremonies...." Fireflight announced.
"Willow, Kilo, and Aries, you have all trained long and hard, and it is high time you've joined the ranks of the lupus proeliators. It is regrettable Vetra Vaticana is not with you, but her pawsteps have led her to a path outside of our borders. Despite rough and rocky times, this trio has proved their skills, their loyalties, and their persevearence. Let it be known that Kilo, Willow, and Aries walk among us as full, honored warriors," she woofed, stepping down to greet each of her new warriors.

With the warriors ceremonies done and finished, Fireflight moved on.
"There are also wolves that are ready to begin the journey that Kilo, Willow, and Aries just completed; Jestos, Laxus, Zarcon, Tatiana, and Etheris have reached the marked age of six moons," she paused, swallowing hard as she eyed the curious black smears far above her head. A breeze was picking up, a hot, sticky one, and a rumble sounded from overheard. A storm? Perhaps it will help wash away the last of the ashes....and maybe get some new growth in before winter...
"Jestos, you will be mentored by Toss, Tatiana, you will be mentored by Svel, Etheris, you will be mentored by Rapier, Laxus, you will be mentored by Kunai, and Zarcon, I will be your mentor," she woofed, divying out the teachers and the neophytes. She smiled at her packmates, at the newly named neophytes and warriors, and was silent to give them a moment of recognition and acknowledgement. Her pause was extended when she eyed the clouds once more, eyes slitting suddenly as a fierce wind gnashed greedily at her face. She lowered her head, ears plastered back from the sheer force of the gust. The skeletal trees around her groaned and snarled with defiant creakings, but nothing could be done to appease the sudden whippings.
"It appears there is to be a storm, but we do not have anymore young pups to be concerned about moving. For now, I advise to go on as you normally would, but do not go far from camp, keep it in your sight. This looks like it could be a....well, big one," she told them frankly.

[Destiny]

The wolf was still very young, but was already growing, and was larger then his siblings in size at this point Blueish tipped ears flickered forwards as the new warriors were announced. Tongue would swipe over jaws, cleaning them of the scraps of food or blood that might be there. Jestos and Laxuz gobbled up the remainder of Zarcon's meal the moment he rose. Eyes gazed down at the smaller wolves for a few seconds; they both looked better then before, but Jestos was smaller then a male probably should be, and Laxuz still had an aura of sickness about her.

Zarcon was proud, to say the least. Excitement over powered him like a wave, and the little male couldn't help but sprint over to where Etheris and Tatiana were as Fireflight announced who would be mentored by who. Laxuz dragged behind him, Jestos padding a little more confidently then his sister. Fireflight is going to be my mentor! The darkly colored wolf nearly leaped into the air at the thought.

Svel slipped into the camp just as Fireflight was announcing the neophytes. Flicking her ears a bit, sleek, silver she-wolf made her way to where Tatiana was. "Welcome to the neophytes." It wasn't directed at any one of them, but all the children.

Sothis was absolutely glowing with pride at this point. Paws carried him Carolina's side, where he gave his beloved mate a soft nuzzle. "They grow up so fast.."

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Rapier's eyes gleamed, his tail swishing to one side.
I... I have a neophyte!
This personal victory did not last long, however, as a private sorrow soon seeped through: he had no one to share his joy with. No friend nor family. No one.
...but at least I'll be doing a service to the pack he reminded himself.
He approached Etheris, nodding politely at his new neophyte... but was interrupted by the abnormally loud and obvious approach of the Destinian Beta.

"It's about time I mentored another whippersnapper!" Toss woofed, sitting down beside his new neophyte. He grinned widely, old eyes closing and tail moving slowly side to side.

"Uhh, Toss... that's my neophyte," Rapier murmured. "Jestos is over there."

Toss blinked slowly, then stood up and headed over to Jestos. "...of course he is. I knew that."

Rapier rolled his eyes, shaking his head slowly. Poor, poor old man... but at least he's happy.

At the rear of the pack gathering, Euphrates sat in the shadows, only half-listening to what Fireflight was saying. He searched the crowd for Sumer, but his little brother did not appear to be present.
He better not have gone where I think he's gone... all of this would have been for nothing... I gave him a life, damn it, and he sided with HER...
Not wanting to let anyone aware of how upset he was, he stood and slid out of camp, making as little noise as possible, to head off on his own.

[Sivoncé™]

Fireflight, still deeply disturbed by their cold-hearted surroundings, cleared her throat to address another pressing matter. "More scents have been found, scents similar to the Yozoran and Siverian scents we found in our territory before. It has been verified that the Siverian is, indeed, the missing herb healer Annelise, but the Yozoran involvement remains undetermined. None of the Siverians seem to think Annelise would have any reason to meet with a Yozoran, and she was, also, missing from her pack when these events took place. Other packs are missing wolves, too, and even the Yozorans seemed a bit sparser -- we'll need to pay close attention to this at the next Moonless Meeting. It will be important, because then we can see who is away from the Yozoran mainlands and carrying out the dirty work. As for now, we need to teach them a lesson in respect, and a lesson that not matter what business it is, it should not take place on Destinian soil. We will wait until after the next Moonless Meeting to attack, but then, I think it will be time we've made ourselves heard -- up close and personal...." Fireflight trailed off, eyes narrowing to slits.
"What in Golden Wolf's name....."
A funnel. That's what it is. A freaking funnel cloud....
Fireflight's eyes widened, resting on the distant, yet titanic vortex on the black ink horizon. It was an object of nightmare, of terror, of violence, of myth; this was something she'd heard spoken of with wary and lasting fear by seniors, but had never dreamed nor wished to see for herself.
TORNADO.
"Our meeting will continue some other time. For now, all should take shelter in the deepest underground sleeping dens avaliable -- go all the way to the back. EVERYONE. There should be no one waiting outside for others except for me...." Fireflight's voice was clear and controlled, though anyone listening could hear her paranoia struggling to break free at one point or another.
"... go, now, and I'll explain it to you in a moment."
And whatever the hell you do, do NOT TURN AROUND!

[nighty!]

<sub>Kunai walked toward his neophyte? No way! The warrior never expected to mentor a neophyte in his life ever since Star who raised him told him the meaning of mentor and neophyte. Laxus was the name of his neophyte. Now Kunai doesn't know if he deserves a neophyte at all. It worries him.

Everyone take shelter.

"Huh?" He said but knows that he couldn't question until he saw the funnel-shaped cloud. Ahhh.... crap. "OK Lexas, first lesson. When something looks big and dangerous and Fireflights says go to shelter, that means go to shelter. THAT MEANS NOW!" Kunai told him the quick lesson as the wind started to pick up. Then the mentor ran to the sleeping dens like the leader told everyone to do.</sub>

[Sivoncé™]

But of course, they all have to turn around. Damnit! Fireflight blamed herself, but not too severly -- it could've happened to any leader in her position. Emotion doesn't leave you when you become alpha....we need to get sheltered fast....
"Follow Kunai -- he's got the idea! Into the Sleeping Dens!" Fireflight barked, a clamorous wind whistling and rain droplets shooting like bullets overhead. "Go as far back into the den as you can!"

Breeze looked up, taking a few unconscious steps backwards while tilting her eyes to the lashings in the heavens. Her eyes traced the thick, rapid swirls to their base, gaze widening. Etheris and Tatiana, who had turned away, looked back and followed Breeze's attenition. "Hey, what's that--" Breeze started. Etheris and Tatiana let out audible gasps, then somersaulted into the form of Breeze, frozen in shock.
"DOESN'T MATTER, LET'S GO!!!" The two attempt to haul Breeze away, though she was a few moons older and larger.
"ALL OF YOU, IN. NOW!!" Carolina plowed forward, snagging Breeze by the scruff and dragging her towards the shelters. Breeze spasmed for a moment, then gathered her senses enough to flee for herself. Tatiana and Etheris followed hastily.
"It'll be fine! We're going to be fine, everything is FINE!" Carolina sighed, eyes searching the crowd desperately for Sothis, Laxus, Jestos, and Zarcon.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

"Toss, find shelter!"
Rapier shove the old wolf, who was very obviously not at all pleased with being ordered around.

"Watch it-- I can't go yet. Not 'til everyone's safe."

Rapier sighed in exasperation, taking Toss by the scruff and attempting to drag him into the den. It wasn't working too well.
"C'mon-- everyone's heading for cover!"

Toss narrowed his eyes. "I didn't see Ashai or Sumer during the meeting, and Euphrates just left. I don't think that counts as everyone."[/i]

Rapier widened his eyes. "...Toss... you're not helping. You're coming NOW."
He managed to drag the elder into the Proeliator's den, shoving him toward the rear of the den.
Dear Lupus, I hope no one else is out there... He grimaced at the thought, knowing that there were at least three still out in the storm... and possibly more.

[Sivoncé™]

Fireflight paced around the fringe of the fleeing pack, rounding them towards the safety of the dens. Her heart was fast-pounding. But her anxieties doubled as she observed Toss and Rapier arguing. She opened her mouth to remind Toss that she had said everyone but her should take cover immediately when mention of Euphrates froze her in place. Her eyes locked on the camp exit, a hard-to-make-out image in the dim, stormy setting. Euphrates?! Why would he leave at a time like this?! She stood there, torn, wondering what to do. I have to stay with the pack... Her insides screamed to run out into the wetland wilderness and find her mate.

[Destiny]

Laxuz and Jestos were both so ill, they didn't even turn to look. Didn't get the chance, anyway. Sothis had them both shoved towards the den. Zarcon dashing in behind his siblings. Silas glanced to his older brother for a few moments, but said nothing. Where is Kiki........ Worry nagged at the back of his mind, but he dashed to safety after the other wolves.

Sothis paused to glance at Svel, who stood frozen, staring at the cloud of black. But was gone in a moment.

The silvery fae heard Toss. Every word. Perhaps she knew what Fireflight was thinking, maybe not. Svel wasn't stupid. In a second paws had her at the alpha's side. "Toss and I will keep everyone below ground. Do what you have to do, Fireflight. Don't let it slip away." Then she, too, was gone. A silver bullet diving into the dens. "BACK! EVERYONE BACK!"

[Sivoncé™]

Fireflight's eyes widened as Svel approached her, realizing how she must look to her new proxy -- petrified, unprepared, an unfit alphess. But Svel's words were sincere, as they always were, and Fireflight felt her paws whip across the flooded earth and stampede through the camp exit, though it barely resembled their traditional entrance anymore.
"The pack...they will be okay....I won't be gone long, I'll find Euphrates and we'll come back and it will all be fine....everything will be all right, it's going to be all right...."
She froced herself to continue saying these things aloud. If she didn't....the disbelief and darkness that gnawed hungrily at the back of her mind would take her over completely. Recklessness was not an option.
Not while Euphrates' life is at stake.

[aoboco]

At least one wolf in camp wasn't afraid of the coming danger. Actually, he was totally transfixed by the swirling clouds. They were pretty far away, too. Nothing could move fast enough to catch the camp in time! It wasn't that the young neophyte was fearless, but rather ignorant. Firefly couldn't tear his eyes away from the awesome sight, even as Fireflight called to take shelter. He would have plenty of time to do that, or so he thought.

The shaggy gray wolf watched in fascination as the winds twisted around in a dark funnel form. It moved side to side, sort of. The clouds kept getting darker, and wider. Pretty soon they spanned most of the horizon. "Can you believe that?" he murmured, glancing around for anyone who hadn't taken cover yet. "It's amazing!"

[Sivoncé™]

( please check the date on this thread -- it's a little old )